Biology:Schoenus arenicola

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Schoenus arenicola
Schoenus arenicola inflorescence two.jpg
Sandy veldrush
Scientific classification edit
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Poales
Family: Cyperaceae
Genus: Schoenus
Species:
S. arenicola
Binomial name
Schoenus arenicola
T.L.Elliott & Muasya
Sarenicola-map.jpg
Documented collection localities in South Africa
Synonyms[1]
  • Tetraria brachyphylla Levyns
  • Tetraria sylvatica var. pseudocuspidata Kük.

Schoenus arenicola is a species of sedge endemic to the south-west coast of South Africa.

Diagnostic characters

Key diagnostic characters of this sand-loving species include reddish-brown leaf sheaths and relatively narrow flowering heads (inflorescences) with generally three to six spikelets.[1] The leaves of this species are usually less than half the length of the culm and the nutlet beak is continuous with the body of the nutlet.[1]

Schoenus arenicola is most similar to Schoenus compar; however, the former species has shorter leaves and reddish-brown leaf sheaths compared to the longer leaves and ivory leaf sheaths of S. compar.[1]

Similar to other sedges, plants in this group are very difficult to identify. It appears that part of this problem is caused by the tendency of the southern African Schoenus to form hybrids with each other.[2] However, hybridization is yet to be observed in S. arenicola.[1]

Taxonomy

Schoenus arenicola is a species in family Cyperaceae, tribe Schoeneae.[3] Other notable genera in tribe Schoeneae include Lepidosperma, Oreobolus, Costularia, Tetraria and Gahnia.[3][4][5] The most closely-related species to S. arenicola are other southern African Schoenus species, specifically, species in the Schoenus compar - Schoenus pictus group.[1]

Southern African Schoenus were once classified as Tetraria; however, based on molecular and morphological differences, we now know that the two groups are evolutionary distinct.[6] To ensure that this group of sedges is monophyletic (i.e. the genus only has closely-related species), the southern African Tetraria were transferred into Schoenus.[6] In the field, the southern African Schoenus can be distinguished from Tetraria species by their lack of stem leaves and the absence of reticulate sheaths at the bases of the flowering stems.[6]

Distribution and ecology

Schoenus arenicola mostly occurs near the south-western coast of South Africa, ranging from the Knysna area in the east to the Cape Peninsula in the west.[1] This species usually grows among fynbos vegetation at low elevations on well-drained sandy sites.[1]

Images

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 Elliott, T.L.; Muasya, A.M. (2018). "A taxonomic revision of Schoenus compar - Schoenus pictus and allies (Cyperaceae, tribe Schoeneae) with three new species described from South Africa". South African Journal of Botany 114: 303–315. doi:10.1016/j.sajb.2017.11.020. 
  2. Levyns, M. (1947). "Tetraria and related genera, with special reference to the flora of the Cape Peninsula". Journal of South African Botany 13: 73–93. 
  3. 3.0 3.1 Elliott, T.L.; Barrett, R.L.; Muasya, A.M. (2019). "A taxonomic revision of Schoenus cuspidatus and allies (Cyperaceae, tribe Schoeneae)—Part 1". South African Journal of Botany 121: 519–535. doi:10.1016/j.sajb.2018.11.021. 
  4. Viljoen, J.-A.; Muasya, A.M.; Barrett, R.L.; Bruhl, J.J.; Gibbs, A.K.; Slingsby, J.A.; Wilson, K. L.; Verboom, G.A. (2013). "Radiation and repeated transoceanic dispersal of Schoeneae (Cyperaceae) through the southern hemisphere". American Journal of Botany 100 (12): 2494–2508. doi:10.3732/ajb.1300105. 
  5. Larridon, I.; Bauters, K.; Semmouri, I.; Viljoen, J.-A.; Prychid, C.J.; Muasya, A.M.; Bruhl, J.J.; Wilson, K.L. et al. (2018). "Molecular phylogenetics of the genus Costularia (Schoeneae, Cyperaceae) reveals multiple distinct evolutionary lineages". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 126: 196–209. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2018.04.016. PMID 29679713. 
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 Elliott, T.L.; Muasya, A.M. (2017). "Taxonomic realignment in the southern African Tetraria (Cyperaceae, tribe Schoeneae; Schoenus clade)". South African Journal of Botany 112: 354–360. doi:10.1016/j.sajb.2017.06.011. 

Wikidata ☰ Q68309123 entry